CORVALLIS -- If Oregon State's defense has its way Saturday at Reser Stadium, Washington State's defense will have another rough day.

Yes, WSU's defense. The Cougars' offense has struggled so much, it has made things much harder on the team's defense.

"We haven't been able to take very much pressure off our defense this whole year," WSU coach Paul Wulff said. "I really think our defense has a chance to do some OK things at times. It's just been under the gun so often without relief from our offense, I think it's hampered them a little bit."

The Cougars figure to face a tough challenge from an OSU defense that seems to be coming into its own. The Beavers played stellar defensive games in wins over Hawaii and USC, and played a solid game at Utah last Thursday before the 14th-ranked Utes scored 11 points in the final 89 seconds to pull out a 31-28 victory.

"There was a ton of good defense at Utah," OSU coach Mike Riley said. "We just obviously broke down at the end."

On paper, Saturday's matchup seems tailor-made for a strong performance by OSU's defense. Washington State has an inexperienced offensive line -- with three sophomore starters -- which has given up a Pacific-10 Conference-worst 19 sacks.

They're protecting a young quarterback in redshirt freshman Marshall Lobbestael, who was forced into action after junior Kevin Lopina and senior Gary Rogers, who each started two games, both were injured in the Cougars' Sept. 20 game against Portland State.

"We need to get to him, put pressure on him, take advantage of the inexperience he has," defensive end Slade Norris said. "We're just focusing on getting in his face, making things uncomfortable for him."

Norris and defensive tackle Stephen Paea each had two sacks against Utah as OSU front seven -- which with all new starters was a big question mark before the season -- is coming into its own.

"I think that front group is forming a nice identity," Riley said.

Washington State could be in for a long day, especially if OSU forces a few turnovers. That's been a major problem for the Cougars, who have thrown 13 interceptions and lost six fumbles, and whose minus-2.33 turnover margin is tied for 118th -- dead last -- in the country.

"We're not in position as a team yet to be able to survive multiple turnovers," Wulff said.

The Beavers apparently will have cornerback Brandon Hughes, who practiced Thursday after being questionable because of a hamstring injury. WSU's all-conference receiver, Brandon Gibson, said Hughes and fellow cornerback Keenan Lewis -- who play plenty of man coverage -- give OSU an advantage by freeing other players to make plays.

"They're as good as anyone in the Pac-10," Gibson said.

Oregon State is an unheard of 30-point favorite Saturday, but the Beavers have spoken respectfully of the Cougars, with defensive end Victor Butler saying, "Despite what their record is, they are a great team. They've got some talent, and they've got some weapons."

But whether those weapons can move the ball enough to take some heat off WSU's offense remains to be seen.